Container for metered dispensing of liquid

ABSTRACT

A container for metered dispensing of liquid. The container in an inverted orientation is connected at its withdrawal and venting aperture to an electromagnetically actuated metering valve, wherein the metering valve has a movable valve element. Within the inverted container there is a cup-shaped vessel having a tear-off cover which simultaneously forms the closure of the container and has its rim sealingly connected to the rim of the withdrawal and venting aperture.

.Iadd.

This reissue application is a continuation of reissue application Ser.No. 392,050, filed June 25, 1982, now abandoned, which was a ofcontinuation of reissue application of Ser. No. 182,783, filed August29, 1980, now abandoned..Iaddend.

The invention relates to a container for metered dispensing of liquids,in particular for freezable or self-preserving liquids for theproduction of beverages, comprising a withdrawal and venting openingwhich is downwardly directed in the withdrawal position and isconnectable to a metering system.

There are many spheres of application in which it is necessary to drawor dispense a liquid in predetermined volumetric quantities in dosesfrom a stock. Such liquids may have widely differing properties andconsistencies and may serve the most varied purposes of application. Themetered dispensing of liquids is for instance required in chemicalprocesses, upon mixing of paints and in the production of medicinalpreparations.

The present invention is however primarily concerned with the productionof potable liquids, wherein a syrup or concentrate is combined inmetered quantities with water and/or other ingredients, to obtain abeverage of particular taste characteristic and consistency.

Syrup or concentrate for the preparation of beverages may have widelydiffering flow properties in their initial state and are affected bydifferet preservation conditions. It is an object of the presentinvention to propose a metering device which is appropriate in equallysatisfactory manner for all these liquid substances of different nature,to allow of a precise metering of predetermined quantities from a stock.

The simplest known metering method consists in that the liquid which isto be metered is allowed to flow out of a stock through an outflowaperture of predetermined cross-section, during a predetermined period.In this case, the withdrawal of precise predetermined quantities ofliquid depends however on the condition that the flow velocity or theviscosity of these substances do not change. It is known however in thecase of numerous liquids, in particular in the case of beverage syrup,which has a sugar content of greater or lesser magnitude, that theviscosity depends on the prevalent temperature. So that precisequantities may be dispensed in the case of a time-governed meteringoperation, it is thus necessary to keep the temperature of the liquidwhich is to be metered constant by means of a corresponding costlydevice. It is another object of the present invention to assure aprecise metering operation without the expense of a control action onthe temperature of the liquid which is to be dispensed.

If the sugar content of beverage syrup is raised beyond a knownpredetermined value, the beverage substance becomes self-preserving,i.e. does not require any additions or processing to prevent spoilageeven in the case of long storage periods. With a very high sugarcontent, the risk exists however that the liquid forms crusts, or cakesonto the surface of its container, or forms streaks by precipitation ofsugar at the points at which it comes into contact with the air. It isanother object of the present invention to eliminate these disadvantagesupon application of beverage syrup having a very high sugar content.

Beverage substances are commonly packaged and carried in packagingcontainers such as pails, bottles, beakers or the like. For a meteredwithdrawal, the packaging and cartage containers must be transferredinto the storage vessel of a metering device. This is a complexoperation, during which spillage resulting in contamination of thesurroundings could easily occur. Such losses occurring during thetransfer of the frequently highly viscous substances may be quiteconsiderable. Beyond this, the syrup comes into large-area contact withthe ambient atmosphere for a period during the transfer. It is necessarymoreover to clean the storage vessel of the metering device before everynew charging operation, to remove incrustations and to verify theunimpeded displaceability of the moving parts of the metering device. Itis another object of the present invention to eliminate thesedifficulties and to assure that another stock quantity of the liquidwhich is to be metered may be made available to the metering device by asingle action.

The object of the invention therefore primarily consists in developing acontainer of the kind specified in particular in the foregoing, in suchmanner that the container not only acts as a novel packaging for theliquid but is also endowed with features allowing of the volumetricallymetered withdawal of the quantity of liquid directly from the containerin an automatic beverage dispenser in rapid sequence and with a highprecision.

According to the present invention provision is made for a cup-shapedpressure compensating vessel which has its rim situated close to thewithdrawal and venting opening and is open only towards this opening tobe incorporated within the container which is also constructed as apackaging unit, for this vessel to form the closure of the container atthe same time and to have its rim sealingly connected to the rim of thewithdrawal and venting opening of the container.

In the operating position of the container, the cup-shaped compensatorvessel situated within the container forms a downwardly open bellsituated within the liquid, whereof the lower rim is situated close tothe withdrawal aperture. This bell is in constant unobstructedcommunication with the external atmosphere and is thus filled with airunder atmospheric pressure. The boundary between the liquid and the airis thereby positioned in the direct vicinity of the withdrawal andventing aperture, in similar manner to that described in U.S. Pat. No.3,258,166. In the operating position, the bell however continues to bein unobstructed communication with the inside of the container and maysimultanously be placed in communication with the inside of thevolumetric metering chamber of a corresponding metering device.

Upon occurrence of temperature fluctuations, a pressure change withinthe top space of the liquid may be prevented reliably whilst thecontainer is in the operating position, since the gas within the topspace may expand freely under the temperature fluctuations, a part ofthe liquid concomitantly being displaced into the inside of the bell.This means that, without the need for a cooling action on the liquid,the container may be placed in operation in combination with avolumetrically operating metering valve at any temperature andtemperature fluctuation, the metered withdrawal always occurring underthe same low pressure despite the temperature fluctuations with the saidmetering valve. Variations in viscosity resulting from fluctuations inthe temperature also have no effect on the volumetric quantitiy metered.

This is because, when the container is situated in an inverted positionin the operating positon, a predetermined negative pressure whereof themagnitude is controlled by the interface between air and liquid situateddeeply and closely above the withdrawal aperture, is engendered abovethe liquid surface within the container. This hermetic closure of thetop space is of great importance for the withdrawal of highly viscousliquids. This also means however, that a great enclosed gas volume whichundergoes quite considerable pressure variations during temperaturechanges, is present within the container upon partial draining. If acontainer of this kind were to have been drained down to a third duringthe metering operation, the result during a temperature change between10° and 30° C. may be either a destruction of the container or else apressure such that the automatically operatable metering valve can nolonger be placed in the open position against the arising pressure. Evenupon opening the metering valve, the liquid would be expelled under highpressure, so that the precision of the metering operation is impairedthereby.

The novel container also has decisive advantages however, as a packagingand cartage container. The compensator vessel complementarily has thefunction, to this end, of forming the hermetic closure of the containerafter the packaging operation and during cartage. At the same time, itacts as a compensator vessel during the packaging operation or ratherduring cartage, since it has at least one wall portion which isoutwardly bendable or elastically deformable under differentialpressure. In this case, the inside of the compensator vessel remains inconstant communication with the external atmosphere during packaging andcartage. This means that one and the same container is equallyappropriate for packaging frozen liquid goods as well as unfrozenliquids such as highly viscous self-preserving liquids. In the case offrozen liquid goods, a definite top space always had to be left unfilleduntil now, which had to be filled with a protective gas in the case ofdelicate goods, for provident reasons. This represents a considerablecomplexity and thus also additional costs. The new container, in thedevelopment described, renders it possible to fill the charging space ofthe container to the brim with the liquid, so that no superjacent gasspace remains.

To this end, the container is filled with a particular chargingquantity. The compensator vessel is inserted into the same underdisplacement of the liquid and the air. The air may thereby be removedaltogether from the charging space. It is only after this that thecompensator vessel is sealingly connected to the rim of the container,e.g. by the swaging-on of a tear-off lid. Any protective measures, suchas the introduction of protective gas, are eliminated.

This applies to freezing liquids as well as to self-preserving juices.Thanks to the total displacement of the air, there is no need to feareither flavor losses, impairment by oxidation, nor microbial action.During the volumetric expansion of the liquid (during the freezingaction) no gas need be compressed in the superjacent space, since anysuperjacent space is eliminated. All volumetric changes, notwithstandingtheir cause and the instant of their occurrence, may be absorbedreliably, the compensator space concomitantly being in communicationwith the external atmosphere and does not allow an overpressure or anunderpressure to be engendered. The container itself may moreover beproduced from a material of lesser thickness or strength, since evenvolumetric changes occurring during impacts or the like are absorbed bythe compensator vessel.

The compensator vessel thus serves the purpose of compensatingvolumetric changes of the liquid as well as for compensating thevolumetric changes of the gas in the superjacent space of the container,when the same is in the operating position. At the same time, thecompensator vessel forms the closure of the container.

In this way, the container may be constructed as a non-returnable orthrow-away container and may be used in the simplest manner directly inan automatic beverage dispenser. The container may be produced veryinexpensively and reliably and thus represents a cheap mass-productionpackaging device. The connecting paths for the metering operation areestablished automatically upon insertion into a metering apparatus.

A metering device comprising a metering chamber and constructed inparticular manner, is advantageously connected to the container. It isessential in this connection that the metering chamber always berefilled under the same conditions, whilst the outlet opening of thecorresponding withdrawal valve is closed. In particular, no differentstatic pressures deriving from the column of liquid present within thestorage container can exert any influence during the inflow of theliquid into the metering chamber. Thanks to the shifting of the boundarysurface with the atmospheric air close to the withdrawal valve situatedat the bottom side, the influence of the varying pressure of the columnof liquid on the withdrawal operation is eliminated on the one hand, andit is assured on the other hand that the superjacent space increasinglyenlarging above the surface of the liquid during the draining of thestorage container is not in direct communication with the surroundingatmosphere. On the contrary, this space is closed off against theatmosphere by the column of liquid itself, so that a predeterminednegative pressure is engendered in this space, which in view of thevapour pressure of the liquid ensures that no incrustations orformations of streaks occur within the storage container even in thecase of a high sugar content. The storage vessel may consequently drainpractically completely, without inconvenience, so that a cleaningoperation on the storage vessel or on the corresponding metering deviceis unnecessary in most cases, prior to refilling.

In view of the new embodiment, viscosity changes resulting fromtemperature fluctuations, have no effect on the metered volumetricquantity, so that an action controlling the temperature of the liquid issuperfluous as a rule.

Thanks to the measures specified, the charging periods always remain thesame for the metering chamber, so that a chronologically controlledmetering action is present despite the application of a meteringchamber. The constant charging period has the advantage moreover thatthe metering cycles may follow each other at minimum intervals, so thata high dispensing performance with an ever constant quantity of liquidis obtained by means of the device.

In the case of the metering device comprising a refillable liquidstorage container, as well as in that of the new packaging and cartagecontainer, the venting vessel situated within the container not onlyfulfils the purpose of eliminating the action of the changing column ofliquid on the withdrawal operation. On the contrary, the followingconsiderations apply complementarily to this important feature: allowingof the elimination of this action in the presence of a single apertureonly, situated at the bottom of the container; simultaneously allowingof direct venting of the metering chamber during the withdrawal;balancing all pressure fluctuations occurring during the sterilisingprocess, during storage or cartage and during withdrawal or ratherduring an interval between two withdrawal operations, and allowing ofthe application of a container of one and the same kind for brim-fullpackaging of highly viscous syrupy liquids or of concentrates which areto be preserved under freezing action.

During the application of liquid freezing goods, the packaging andcartage container has the task moreover of considerably reducing thebulk of the packaging device (size of the container). Let this bedescribed with reference to the following example:

A packaging device having a capacity of 880 cm³, as used by the milliontoday in practice, contains approx. 680 cm³ of packaged merchandise. Theresidual 200 cm³ are available for air or protective gases. The liquidexpands by approximately 10% during the freezing process, i.e. approx.750 cm³ are then needed instead of 680 cm³. The residual 130 cm³represent enclosed compressed air or enclosed compressed protectivegases.

In application of the inventive cap, the packaging unit may be reducedby these 130 cm³, since--in the uncollapsed state--the cap spacerequires no more than the volume required for the fluid during thefreezing action, in view of change in volume. In view of the fact thatthe cap preferably consists of elastic material, it may be compressed tonothing or rather to a few cm³.

The invention is described in particular with reference todiagrammatical drawings, in respect of several example of embodiment.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first example of embodiment of a metering device inaccordance with the invention in different stages of a withdrawal cycle,in vertical cross-section,

FIG. 4 shows a packaging and cartage container in accordance with theinvention in a first form of embodiment, in vertical cross-section,

FIG. 5 shows a second form of embodiment of a packaging and cartagecontainer in accordance with the invention in the cartage condition, inpartial cross-section,

FIG. 6 shows the packaging and cartage container according to FIG. 5 inits operating position during the metered withdrawal of the liquid, and

FIG. 7 shows another example of embodiment for a packaging and cartagecontainer in accordance with the invention, in vertical cross-section.

According to FIGS. 1 to 3, a withdrawal device in accordance with theinvention comprises a storage container 1 for the liquid 2 which is tobe metered, which in the omnilaterally closed container in the exampleillustrated has a level which is shown at 3 and which in the closedupper part leaves a superjacent space 4 free of liquid, which isnormally under a lesser pressure than the atmospheric pressure forreasons remaining to be explained further on, so that a vaporizationpressure may be set up within this superjacent space, which even in thecase of liquids having a high sugar contant reliably prevents anyincrustation or forming of stripes. It is apparent that the liquidsurface 3 is not in any direct communication with the externalatmosphere.

In its base area, which extends sloping downwards frustoconicallytowards the center, the storage container has an aperture delimited by acontainer neck or stub 5. A screw cap 7, which acts as a holder for awithdrawal valve 8 which may be actuated electromagnetically in theexample illustrated, may be connected to the same, e.g. by means of theexternal screw-thread of the container neck 5. An insert element 23which cooperates sealingly with the end face of the container neck underinterposition of an annular seal 6, is situated within the screw cap 7.

The withdrawal valve comprises a magnet system 9 which may be actuatedelectromagnetically, and a corresponding protective cap 10 which withina central sleeve-like section receives a guiding sleeve 12 for a hollowarmature 11 which is equally constructed in sleeve form. The hollowarmature 11 is open at its rearward extremity and at its downwardly oroutwardly pointing extremity is frustoconically constructed and closedoff, one or more outlet openings 14 being incorporated in thefrustoconical surface. Below the outlet openings 14, the cone section 16of the armature 11 has an external annular seal 17 which cooperates invalve-like manner with the frustoconically tapering extremity 15 of theguiding sleeve 12. At its rearward extremity, the armature 11 isextended by a slide-like sleeve of non-magnetic material. The free upperextremity thereof extends into a part 20 of the insert 23 which isupwardly closed and within its cover carries an upwardly projectingsmall tube 22 or the like. One or more entry openings 21 through whichthe contents of the storage container 1 may flow according to the arrows35 into the metering chamber 18 formed by the armature 11 and theextension 13, is or are incorporated under the cover. The volume of thismetering chamber is matched precisely to the liquid volume to bewithdrawn during a metering operation and specified in advance in eachcase.

A venting container 27 in the form of a downwardly open vessel issituated closely above the insert 20, 23 in the storage container 1. Thesmall tube 22 which is in communication with the metering chamber 18extends into the venting chamber 34. The insert 23 moreover has anextension projecting upwardly into the venting chamber 34, wherein isincorporated a bore 24. The extension may be extended by a hose 25, insuch manner that the passage 24 opens into the venting chamber 34 at ahighly situated point, according to the arrow 30. At the otherextremity, the passage 24 is in direct communication with the atmospherevia a channel 26 in the screw cap 7, as shown directly above themagnetic coil 9 by the arrow 30. It is assured in this manner, thatactual atmospheric pressure prevails in the venting chamber 34, that isto say within a gas space, enclosed within the venting vessel 27, whichis in contact in the area of the lower rim 28 of the venting vessel withthe liquid within the container 1, and forms a boundary surface withthis liquid which determines the static pressure above the withdrawalvalve 8, that is to say independently of the varying height of thecolumn of liquid present within the container 1. The liquid consequentlyalways flows into the metering chamber 18 through the openings 21 underthe same static pressure, because the liquid always tends to penetratecommunicatingly into the venting chamber 34. As in a pipette, it alwaysensures that a constant negative pressure is established in thesuperjacent space 4.

Whereas the valve armature 11 assumes the closed position shown in FIG.1 as a result of gravity, the electromagnetic actuating coil 9 whichpulls the armature 11 upwards according to FIG. 2, is switched on toinitiate a withdrawal operation. The displacement of the armature 11leads to a lifting of the slider sleeve 13 which is sealingly thrustbefore the inflow openings 21 of the insert as shown by FIG. 2. At thesame time, the outflow from the metering chamber through the outletopenings of the armature valve according to the arrows 39 is freed bythe armature displacement. The liquid present in the metering chambermay flow out freely since the inner extremity of the metering chamber isvented direct via the small tube 22, as shown by the arrow 38. Thedirect venting of the metering chamber concomitantly occurs from theventing chamber 34. The inflow of air under atmospheric pressure is thusswitched .[.to from the inflow of liquid,.]. by the actuation of thevalve. The small tube 22 ensures that the liquid may flow into themetering chamber 18 only via the inflow openings 21, in allcircumstances.

The actuating coil 9 is switched off after a predetermined period, sothat the valve sleeve again drops into the original position under theaction of gravity, in which the seal 17 on the armature cone shuts offthe outflow openings 14 of the metering chamber, whereas the inflowopenings 21 at the upper extremity of the metering chamber are freed atthe same time. Liquid may thus flow into the metering chamber again fromthe container 1 under constant low static pressure according to thearrow 35 (FIG. 3). The air concomitantly displaced is displaced into theventing chamber 34 via the small tube 22, according to the arrow 42. Theliquid level drops upon outflow of the liquid from the storagecontainer. The negative pressure is maintained in the superjacent gasspace 4 situated above the liquid. The atmospheric pressure prevailingin the venting chamber then ensures that a corresponding quantity of airin the form of bubbles flows upwards according to the arrows 40 over thelower rim 28 of the venting vessel 27 and through the column of liquidinto the superjacent gas space 4, that is to say in such manner that thesame static pressure always prevails above the inflow openings 21 of thewithdrawal valve. The inflow thus occurs wholly uniformly, so that thefilling of the metering chamber occurs in identical periods, that is tosay independently of the liquid level in the storage vessel. After apredetermined period has elapsed, another withdrawal operation may beinitiated by actuation of the electromagnetic coil 9.

After complete draining of the storage vessel 1, the withdrawal valvemay be removed by means of the holder 7 and the container may berefilled, the venting vessel and the corresponding parts also beingremoved from the storage container, together with the removal of thewithdrawal valve.

To avoid repeated refilling of one and the same storage vessel of awithdrawal device, a packaging and cartage container for the liquidwhich is to be metered, is specified in FIG. 4. This container 50 is inthe form of a large flask comprising a container barrel 51 and acontainer neck 52 and may consist of any appropriate material, inparticular of an inert plastics material. The container neck has anexternal screw-thread for a screw cap 53 which serves the purpose ofhermetically shutting off the packaging and cartage container until itsuse. To this end, a flange 54 of an insert element, acting as a sealingring, is incorporated between the cap 53 and the end face of thecontainer neck 52. This insert element simultaneously forms a ventingvessel 56 projecting into the packaging and cartage container 50, whichin the area of the flange has an opening 59 into which the head portion64 of a withdrawal valve may be sealingly inserted after the screw cap53 has been removed and replaced by a screwable holder of the withdrawalvalve. The parts of the withdrawal valve projecting into the inside ofthe venting vessel 56, are shown dash-dotted at 64. The venting vessel56 encloses a venting chamber 58, which is filled with air or an inertgas, and closed off by the liquid 60 within the container.

FIG. 4 shows the packaging and cartage container in the cartageposition, in which the container neck 52 points upwards. For use incombination with a withdrawal device, the container is inverted so thatthe opening openable by means of the screw cap 53 is a base opening ofthe container 51 during the withdrawal.

Close to the container neck 52, the venting vessel 56 has at least oneprefabricated opening 62 which may be closed off for cartage, e.g. bymeans of a tear-off element 63. A closure of covering of the opening 62is not absolutely necessary since the packaging container is outwardlysealed off by the screw cap 53 and the corresponding seal. If it is notwished however to seal the internal space 58 of the venting vessel 56with the liquid which is to be metered, it may be appropriate to providea cover 63 for the opening 62, for example in the form of a pull-offadhesive foil.

In the example illustrated, the flanges 54 should already beincorporated in one piece with the venting vessel 56 and the connectingpassage 57 for the direct connection of the venting chamber 58 to theexternal atmosphere via an appropriate section 55. Upon placing thewithdrawal valve in position, a corresponding extension of thewithdrawal valve is automatically positioned in the externally situatedextremity of the passage 57 and thereby establishes the requiredconnection.

The liquid level 61 is situated close to the container neck 52 in thecartage or storage position. By contrast, the liquid level is initiallysituated close to the extremity facing away from the container neck, ofthe packaging and cartage container 50, in the withdrawal position.

The cartage and packaging container is appropriately constructed as athrow-away or non-returnable container and may be produced fromappropriate materials at correlatively low cost. The venting vessel 56is concomitantly associated with two tasks, namely the forming of theventing chamber during the withdrawal operation as well as the sealingof the container 50 by means of the flange prior to the first opening ofthe container.

Yet another task may be associated with the venting vessel, namely toensure that all occurring pressure fluctuations or pressure differencesfrom atmospheric pressure are reliably compensated during the filling ofthe packaging container or during cartage and storage. This may be ofimportance in particular, if the liquid charged is exposed to atemperature treatment, e.g. a freezing process.

An example for this is shown by FIGS. 5 and 6, wherein is specified apackaging and cartage container 70 of the kind described with referenceto FIG. 4, on whose screw neck 71 is screwed on a screw cap 75 whichsealingly co-operates with the end face of the container neck withinterposition of the flange 74 of a venting vessel 72.

The venting vessel 72 is of omnilaterally closed construction and doesnot have any prefabricated opening for connection to the contents of thepackaging container. The venting vessel 72 is so constructed howeverthat it has at least one wall portion which is flexible or elasticallyoutwardly bendable, which upon occurrence of pressure differencesbetween the inside of the packaging container and the externalatmosphere receives the concomitantly occurring volumetric change inmajor proportion or completely. It becomes possible thereby to fill thepackaging container 70 completely, almost without superjacent space.

To obtain a connection to the inside of the packaging container forwithdrawal purposes, the venting vessel 72 in the example illustratedhas a shoulder extension 73 close to the neck 71, which may also extendthroughout the periphery or over different peripheral portions. In theexample illustrated, the shoulder 73 is limited to a small peripheralportion.

Upon installing the withdrawal valve 80 by means of a screw cap 81according to FIG. 6, the shoulder 73 is preferably automaticallytranspierced, that is to say with one or more projections 82 sharpenedat 83 in blade-like manner, of the insert appertaining to the withdrawalvalve, whereon the venting passage 86 and the small tube 85 for themetering chamber, are also situated. The connection between the ventingchamber 72 and the inside of the packaging container 70 is openedthereby, so that the liquid may flow into the metering chamber accordingto the arrow 84. The venting chamber is in direct communication with theexternal atmosphere at 87.

A hollow extension projecting into the inside of the venting chamber,which is severed by a cutting edge on the withdrawal valve uponinstalling the withdrawal valve, so that an opening lies open, which islateral and projects radially with respect to the axis into the insideof the venting chamber, may also be provided as a portion of the ventingvessel which is to be opened during the affixing of the withdrawalvalve. A peripheral portion of the venting vessel 72 may however also beweakened beforehand, so that this part may easily be transpierced uponaffixing the withdrawal valve or earlier by the operative.

In this packaging container, the screw cap 75 merely serves the purposeof protecting the internal space of the venting vessel 72 againstsoiling or the like. The screw cap 75 does not have a sealing functionhowever, in respect of the inside of the venting vessel 72. On thecontrary, the cap base should be air-permeable in this example ofembodiment, so that the venting vessel may simultaneously be able tofulfil its other pressure compensating task. To this end, the two bores76 for example are incorporated in the cap base through which the airmay escape to the outside during incurvation of the walls of the ventingvessel 72 into the position shown dash-dotted at 72a.

These openings may simultaneously serve the purpose of receiving theprojections 77 of a spanner 78 whereby the screw cap 75 may be unscrewedby application of little force, upon placing the packaging container inoperation.

It is pointed out in this connection that any other appropriatefastening system may be incorporated in the area of the aperture of thepackaging container 70 for a closure cap and for the holder of thewithdrawal valve, e.g. a catch closure or a bayonet joint or the like.

It was found to be particularly advantageous for the function of theexclusive sealing of the packaging container to be coordinated with theventing vessel which is firmly installed in the throw-away container. Tothis end, the area of the venting vessel .[.95 close 93.]. .Iadd.93close to .Iaddend.the open extremity may be firmly bonded or welded tothe inner side of the container neck 91, according to FIG. 7. In thiscase, the flange 94 still has a sealing function only with thewithdrawal valve installed. The flange 94 need not perform a sealingaction during cartage or storage of the packaging container. In theexample illustrated, the part of the venting vessel 93 situated withinthe packaging container 90 is constructed as a bellows having folds 95parallel to the axis, so that the venting vessel 93 may compensate forgreat volumetric changes under pressure variations, without changing itsshape fundamentally. The internal space 92 of the packaging containermay thereby be filled reliably up to the brim. The losses of packagingspace are thereby extraordinarily small and the packaging containeritself may be constructed in adequately weak form since the possiblepressure fluctuations cannot lead to any dangerous loading of thecontainer barrel. An encircling shoulder is incorporated at 96, whichmay be transpierced by the withdrawal valve in the area of a fold 95open towards the inside of the venting vessel, upon placing thecontainer in operation. A fin or recess which cooperates with acorresponding projection or depression on the withdrawal valve, so thatthe withdrawal valve may be placed on the neck 91 of the storagecontainer only in a predetermined relative peripheral position, may besituated at a particular peripheral point in the marginal area of theventing vessel. It is assured thereby that the shoulder 96 may in eachcase be transpierced only at a predetermined point. The folds 95 mayalso be situated transversely to the axis of the container.

A tear-off adhesive foil 97 comprising a gripping tab 98 which hasventing openings at 99, may be drawn over the free end face of theflange, merely as a protection against dirt or dust and as a protectionfor the flange 94. Instead of this, a lightweight and air-permeablescrew cap 100 may moreover be incorporated again however, as showndash-dotted.

We claim: .[.1. A container for metered dispensing of liquids, inparticular for freezable or self-preserving liquids, an atmosphereexternal to the container, said container comprising a withdrawal andventing aperture which is pointing downwards in withdrawing position andis connected to a metering device, characterized in that in the insideof the container, there is provided an inverted cup-shaped compensatingvessel with its rim arranged close to the withdrawal and ventingaperture and open only towards this aperture, said compensating vesselhaving its rim sealingly connected to the rim of the withdrawal andventing aperture of the container..]. .[.2. A container as claimed inclaim 1, characterized in that the interior of the compensating vesselis in constant open communication with the atmosphere external to thecontainer whilst the outside of the compensating vessel is in opencommunication only with the material inside of the container, and thatsaid compensating vessel is provided with at least one wall deformableunder differential pressure..]. .[.3. A container as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that in close vicinity of the withdrawal and ventingaperture the compensating vessel is provided with an openable connectingsection leading to the inside of the container..]. .[.4. A container asclaimed in claim 2, characterized in that the compensating vessel isoutwardly protected by an air-permeable cover, especially a tear offcover..]. .[.5. A container as claimed in claim 3, characterized in thatthe compensating vessel is outwardly protected by an air-permeablecover, especially a tear off cover..]. .[.6. A container as claimed inclaim 3, characterized in that the openable connecting section of thecompensating vessel comprises an inwardly projecting shoulder sectionfor transpiercing by means of a pierce device..]. .[.7. A container asclaimed in claim 1 used as a freezing container, characterized in thatfor securing the metering device the container is provided with asection which is independent of the compensating vessel whichcompensating vessel acts as a closure..].
 8. A container for metereddispensing of liquids, in particular for freezable or self-preservingliquids, including a withdrawal and venting opening which in operationis directed downwards in a dispensing position, an inverted cup-shapedpressure compensating vessel which has its rim situated close to thewithdrawal and venting aperture and is open .[.only.]. towards thisaperture incorporated within the container, the vessel simultaneouslyforming the closure of the container and having its rim sealinglyconnected to the rim of the withdrawal and venting aperture of thecontainer, the interior of the pressure compensating vessel being inconstant unobstructed communication with an atmosphere external of thecontainer as well as being in communication with the material inside ofthe container, said pressure compensating vessel having at least onewall portion which is deformable under differential pressure, awithdrawal valve including a metering chamber connected to the inside ofthe container and to the pressure compensating vessel via an upwardlyextending passage, .[.which.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.withdrawal valve.[.is.]. .Iadd.being .Iaddend.electromagnetically actuated and equippedwith a movable valve element constructed as an armature, .Iadd.and asleeve in which said valve element is movably mounted,.Iaddend.characterized in that the valve element conjointly with .[.a.]..Iadd.said .Iaddend.sleeve guiding it delimits the metering chamber andthat the guiding sleeve is constructed with individual .Iadd.entry.Iaddend.openings for the liquid which is to be metered opening into theinside of the container at its upper extremity, and that the valve.[.sleeve.]. .Iadd.element .Iaddend.is constructed as a valve slider for.[.alternating.]. .Iadd.alternatingly .Iaddend.uncovering or coveringthe entry openings. .Iadd.9. A container for metered dispensing ofliquids, in particular for freezable or self-preserving liquids,including a withdrawal and venting opening which in operation isdirected downwards in a dispensing position, an inverted cup-shapedpressure compensating vessel which has its rim situated close to thewithdrawal and venting aperture and is open towards this apertureincorporated within the container, the vessel simultaneously forming theclosure of the container and having its rim sealingly connected to therim of the withdrawal and venting aperture of the container, theinterior of the pressure compensating vessel being in constantunobstructed communication with an atmosphere external of the containeras well as being in communication with the material inside of thecontainer, said pressure compensating vessel having at least one wallportion which is deformable under differential pressure, a withdrawalvalve including a metering chamber connected to the inside of thecontainer and to the interior of the pressure compensating vessel via anupwardly extending passage for venting the withdrawal valve..Iaddend..Iadd.10. A container as claimed in claim 9, wherein the withdrawalvalve is electromagnetically actuated and equipped with a movable valveelement constructed as an armature, a sleeve in which said valve elementis movably mounted, characterized in that the valve element conjointlywith said sleeve guiding it delimits the metering chamber and that theguiding sleeve is constructed with individual entry openings for theliquid which is to be metered opening into the inside of the containerat its upper extremity, and that the valve element is constructed as avalve slider for alternatingly uncovering or covering the entryopenings..Iaddend. .Iadd. A container for metered dispensing of liquids,in particular for freezable or self-preserving liquids, an atmosphereexternal to the container, said container comprising a withdrawal andventing aperture which is pointing downwards in withdrawing position andis connected to a metering device, characterized in that in the insideof the container, there is provided an inverted cup-shaped compensatingvessel having an open end with a rim arranged close to the withdrawaland venting aperture and open towards said aperture, said compensatingvessel having its rim sealingly connected to the rim of the withdrawaland venting aperture of the container, and further characterized in thatthe interior of said compensating vessel is in constant opencommunication with the atmosphere external to the container whilst theoutside of the compensating vessel is in open communication only withthe material inside of the container, and that said compensating vesselis provided with at least one wall deformable under differentialpressure..Iaddend. .Iadd.12. A container for metered dispensing ofliquids, in particular for freezable or self-preserving liquids, anatmosphere external to the container, said container comprising awithdrawal and venting aperture which is pointing downwards inwithdrawing position and is connected to a metering device,characterized in that in the inside of the container, there is providedan inverted cup-shaped compensating vessel, through which liquiddispensed from the container passes, with its rim arranged close to thewithdrawal and venting aperture and open towards said aperture, saidcompensating vessel having its rim secured to the rim of the withdrawaland venting aperture of the container, and further characterized in thatthe interior of the compensating vessel is in constant opencommunication with the atmosphere external to the container whilst theoutside of the compensating vessel is in open communication only withthe material inside of the container, and that said compensating vesselis provided with at least one wall deformable under differentialpressure..Iaddend. .Iadd.13. A container for use in conjunction with ametering device for metered dispensing of liquids, in particular forfreezable or self-preserving liquids, said container including awithdrawal and venting aperture which is pointing downwards inwithdrawing position, and being characterized in that in the inside ofthe container, there is provided an inverted cup-shaped compensatingvessel having its rim secured to the rim of the withdrawal and ventingaperture of the container, and further characterized in that theinterior of the compensating vessel is in constant open communicationwith atmosphere external to the container whilst the outside of thecompensating vessel is in open communication only with the materialinside the container, and that said compensating vessel is provided withat least one wall deformable under differential pressure..Iaddend..Iadd.14. A container as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that thecompensating vessel is outwardly protected by an air-permeable cover,especially a tear off cover..Iaddend.